wendy's Reviews Page 14/28

Okazaki Castle, the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified Japan, is a historical attraction well worth visiting when in Okazaki. From Nagoya, it takes just over 30 minutes by limited express train to reach Higashi Okazaki Station, followed by a little over a 10-minute walk to the castle, making it quite convenient to get to.

There are many shrines, temples, and historic sites around Okazaki Castle, and the entire area is very well maintained. Besides going up to the castle keep and taking in views of Okazaki from the top, I also visited the Ieyasu Museum, which has a very comprehensive collection of historical information. Anyone interested in Japan's Sengoku period will probably really enjoy it.

There really aren't many visitors here, and it's especially peaceful on weekdays. Taking a leisurely walk through Okazaki Park is very pleasant.

If you're visiting Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture, I highly recommend taking a walk along Yakimono Sanpo-michi, where you can experience the history and culture of the famous Japanese ceramics known as Tokoname ware firsthand.

The whole walking area retains a strong retro atmosphere. As you stroll through the alleys, you'll see many old houses, ceramic works, and unique little shops. The overall atmosphere is very relaxing. There aren't too many visitors, so it's comfortable for taking photos, and you don't need to set aside much time. Even a casual walk around the area feels rewarding.

If I had to describe it, it's a bit like Taiwan's Treasure Hill and Yingge combined. You can admire old street architecture and ceramic art as you walk, making it perfect for people who enjoy photography or are interested in ceramics.

There are quite a few small ceramics shops along the way, all selling distinctive pieces. If you like Tokoname ware, you can take your time choosing some favorite items to bring home.
Unfortunately, I visited on a Monday, so many of the shops were closed, and even the nearby Shinmeisha Shrine wasn't open.
Also, the signs along the walking route aren't very clear, so first-time visitors may have a little trouble finding their way.

If you're visiting Inuyama Castle, I definitely recommend stopping by Inuyama Castle Town too! It preserves the look and feel of the old castle town, with historic buildings lining both sides of the street. Walking through it feels like stepping back into old Japan.

The entire street is packed with food options, including many stands where you can grab something to eat while walking, which is very convenient if you're short on time. Of course, there are also plenty of restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace. If you have enough time, it's a great place to eat and browse as you go. As you head toward Inuyama Castle, you'll also find many unique little shops where you can take your time hunting for interesting finds.

At the end of the food street, there's also the Dondenkan Museum, where you can learn about Inuyama's traditional festival floats. It's well worth a visit for anyone interested in Japanese history and traditional culture. If you want to avoid the crowds, I really recommend coming early in the morning! There are far fewer visitors then, making it more comfortable to take photos. You can leisurely explore the old streets before slowly making your way toward Inuyama Castle.

Inuyama Castle is one of Japan's five national treasure castles and the oldest of the 12 surviving original castle keeps. Built on high ground beside the Kiso River, its rustic wooden keep still retains a strong sense of history.

You have to remove your shoes before entering the keep, and plastic bags are thoughtfully provided at the entrance so visitors can carry them. However, the wooden stairs inside are extremely steep and narrow, making the climb quite challenging. People with limited mobility or knee problems may want to think twice. As you climb from floor to floor and see the armory, armor storage room, and original wooden structure, you can almost imagine the battles of the Sengoku period.

The highlight is reaching the top floor. Standing on the balcony around the keep with the wind blowing and looking down over Inuyama's castle town and the Kiso River, the expansive view really makes you forget all your worries for a moment.

After visiting Inuyama Castle, I also recommend taking a leisurely walk through the castle town, wearing a kimono, trying traditional snacks, and relaxing at a cafe for an easygoing afternoon.

This is a well-known open-air museum in Japan, and it also attracts attention because it is often used as a filming location for TV dramas and movies. The grounds are huge, and stepping inside feels like entering the streets of the Meiji period. You can admire the preserved and relocated historic buildings while experiencing the unique blend of Westernization and traditional Japanese culture following the Meiji Restoration.

Many valuable Meiji-period buildings are preserved here, including National Important Cultural Properties such as St. John's Church and the main entrance of the Imperial Hotel. Each building has its own history and is well worth exploring at a leisurely pace.

And this isn't just a place to look at buildings!
You can also ride the SL Meiji steam train and an old streetcar. There is even an option to dress in Meiji-period clothing. Wearing vintage clothes and taking pictures in front of the old buildings really feels like traveling back in time!

The grounds are enormous, so I recommend setting aside a full day to explore at a relaxed pace. Adult admission is about JPY 2,500, and I also recommend purchasing the sightseeing bus pass for JPY 500, which can save you a lot of walking.

If you like Japanese history, old buildings, movie locations, or taking vintage-style photos, Museum Meiji Mura Village is definitely worth adding to your itinerary! Inuyama Castle is also nearby, so you can combine them into a one-day trip and enjoy a history-filled visit to Inuyama.

If you're a fan of the Sengoku period visiting Nagoya, you really shouldn't miss Kiyosu Castle!
This was an important setting for Oda Nobunaga's rise and his path toward unifying Japan, so anyone interested in Sengoku history will find it fascinating.

Take the Meitetsu Line to Shin-Kiyosu Station. It's a small, quiet station, and Kiyosu Castle is about a 20-minute walk away. The walk is very relaxing, and the streets along the way are interesting too. Everything suddenly feels slower-paced.

Kiyosu Castle itself isn't very large, but from the observation area at the top, you can look out over the surrounding cityscape. The view is pleasant when the weather is nice, and you can also see the Shinkansen passing by. If the weather happens to be clear, I highly recommend coming here for a walk, enjoying the scenery, and getting a feel for the history of the Sengoku period.

You can't visit Nagoya without trying an authentic bowl of hitsumabushi! Shirakawa Joshin Main Store is a long-established eel restaurant in Nagoya, known for its rich secret sauce. The eel is crispy on the outside and tender inside, and it's incredibly fragrant with piping-hot white rice!

Hitsumabushi lets you enjoy three different ways of eating it in one meal:
① First: Enjoy the original flavor of the eel and sauce as is
② Second: Add green onions, wasabi, and other condiments for a richer aroma
③ Third: Pour in dashi broth to turn it into refreshing ochazuke

Each way has a different flavor, and you'll really want to keep eating bite after bite! Remember to make a reservation early, or get a numbered ticket and wait when you arrive.

Arakogawa Park is a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Nagoya, with a cherry tree-lined path stretching about 1 kilometer. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring, the entire path must be very romantic!

Besides the cherry blossoms, it also has one of the best lavender gardens in Aichi Prefecture, so you can enjoy different natural scenery depending on the season.

Unfortunately, I visited in the summer this time and missed cherry blossom season, but the park was still lush and green. It was very pleasant to stroll around, and I could really feel surrounded by nature.

Step into this lush, Zen-like Japanese stroll garden centered around a pond, and take a leisurely walk along the paths while admiring the natural beauty created by the water, trees, flowers, and changing seasons. The entire garden is beautiful and has a relaxed pace, making it perfect for slowing down and enjoying some quiet time.

I visited in summer, when everything was lush and green and sunlight filtered through the garden, giving it a fresh, pleasant atmosphere. Admission is only JPY 300! It's affordable, the scenery is beautiful, and it's definitely worth making time for a visit〜

I visited Jokoji Temple, known for its beautiful fall foliage, and also took a walk through the lush greenery of Jokoji Park. Unfortunately, I came in summer and missed the stunning fall colors, but the lush summer greenery offered a different kind of freshness and tranquility.

There were very few tourists on this weekday, making the whole park feel especially peaceful. It's a great place to slow down, stroll among the greenery, and enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.